Bail-joint



E. A. RUTISHAUSER'.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED N0v9. 191e.

Pm-entedJune 24, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A TTORNE Y WI TNESSES:

mr mums FUER: co.. mmmumn., wAsmNcmll. l c.

E A. RulsHAusi-m. RAIL JOINT. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9. 1916.

2 SHEETSSHE 2.

WITNEssm.. INVENTOR.

. 5%@ WMM- Y l A TTORNEY UNITED sTATEs rATENToFFioE.

EMIL A." aurisrieusna,

or Annone, ILLINOIS. y y l I RAIL-WINT;

To all whom t mayconoern: I j

Be it lrnown thatl, EMIL A. RUTIsHi-xpsnii, a citizen of the United States, and resident" of Aurora, in the county of Kane and State of lll-inois, have `invented a new and ,useful` Rail-Joint, of which vthe followingisaspecie` lication. I f j' This invention relates to railjoints. ,i

The object of theinvention is to provide a` rail joint of novel construction,` which is` very strong and durable and which; will effectively prevent springingof the" connected rail ends relatively to `each other.` To this end a rail. joint of my invention comprises the various features and `details of construc-` v tion hereinafter described and` claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which my invention is fully illustrated,

Figure 1 is a side view, partlyin section on the line 1-#1 of Fig. 3, of a rail joint of my invention, shown as applied in use for connecting two rails.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View thereof, partly in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is an end view of my improved rail joint, showingthe rail in section. l y

Fig. 4 is a view substantially similar tor.` Fig. 3, illustrating the manner of assembling, the parts of my improved joint. n i y,

`Figs.5 and 6 are fragmentarytop plan 1` and end Views, respectively, illustrating difl ferent means for preventing relative endwise` movement of parts of my improved joint relatively to each other; `and 1 Fig. `'Z' is a.fragmentary` view illustrating;

a contemplated modification.

. Referring now to the drawings, A, A

designate rails joined end to end by means l of my `improved rail joint, a the bases of said rails, a', a2 the webs and balls` thereof, i-1

and a3 the ties which support said rails. My improved rail joint comprises a baser plate 1., the upper surface 2 of whichfforms the seat on which the bases a of the ends of the joined rails rest. `Said base plate 1 also if preferably acts as a tie plate, being of such length that it will extend over and rest upon il at least two ties,` ,and is preferably secured thereto by means lofusualspikes, inserted through spikekholes a4 in lugs formed on the baseplate 1 `and driven into theties as in,i the usual manner. l .1 i `Formed at the lateral edges lof the base-l plate 1 are upwardly extending flanges `:a

Specication of Letterslatent.

j ratentea June 2411919.

Appiieeeien inea November a ieie seriei Ne. 1311454.

andrei, formed inthe adjacent facesiof which are grooves 5 and 6, which together form a channel adapted to receive the bases ci of the joined rails and both the transverse andivertical* dimensions of i which` are materially larger than `the corresponding dimensions of said; rail bases. j, Also, the width ofthe space between the adjacent or inner sides of the `flanges 3, ande above the grooves 5 and 6 is` less than the width of the rail bases, so that, in" nse, the uppersides 5', 6 of said grooves 51 and 6 will overlap both outer edges ofthe rail bases. `1 j. j. i i j The upper "sides 5 and Gofj` the grooves 5 and 6` are inclined to the horizontal in substantially `the samel manner as the upper sides of the railubases a, but `at `a greater i angle.l j With the: described construction, the

channelbetween the `flanges 3 and l will w `forni in ,effect a dovetail.

To provide `for conveniently engagingthe bases ofthe rails and the channels' in the base plates 1 formed by the grooved lianges 3 and l with each other, the' distance from the bottom of either groove, as the groove 6,

to `the corner on the opposite flange, as the Iflange 3, formed at the intersection of the Aginner side of said iange and the upper side 5 of the groove 5is greater than the width iof the bases a of the rails. With the conbases may be inserted into or engagedwith the channels in said hase plates 1 bycanting said rails and inserting an edgethereof into Vone of the grooves 5 or 6 in contact withthe ottoin of said groove, in whichposition the opposite edge of said rail base will clear the flange on` said base plate other than that in whichlthe groove is formed into which the first 'edge ofthe rail base was inserted, thus permitting the baseof said rail to enter said channel with `the bottom ofthe rail `base resting on the seat 2 ony said baseuplate. Obviously, the base plates `and `rail bases ,may beengaged by manipulation of said base plates instead of the rails. This mane @ner of engaging said base plates and rails may be employed `in laying new track, but is ofparticular advantagein replacing a worn or broken rail or rails. Where conditions willpermit, however, my Ainvention contemplates equally engaging said base platesand rails by nsertinvsaidirails endwise into the channels: :termed inthe hase plates by the struction and relation described the` rail` shall not vwork loose',

grooved [iangesf andft, orwhat-is the same thinO', by passing said base overbthe ends of the rails.

My improved rail joint also comprises usual lish plates 7 and on the lower edges of which are wedges9 and 10, said wedges being provided, respectively, with wedging surfaces 11 andy 11 which co-act with corresponding wedging surfaces 12 and 12 formed by the upper sides 5 and 6 of the grooves 5 and 6, to clamp the rail bases a firmly to their seats on y'the base plate 1.

As shown, the wedging 'surfaces 11 and 12 are' inclined transversely only,'while the wedging surfaces 11 and 12 are inclined both transversely and longitudinally, and the edge ofthe wedge 10 on the fish plate 8 and the bottom of the groove 6 in the flange t are inclined longitudinally 'to correspond with the inclination of 1"1"and 12, ,forming lateralwedging surfaces 13 aiidlfwhereby 10 endwise into the groove 6 will exert wedging actions on 'therrailbases a both vertically Itoward the rail seat 2 and laterally into the groove 5, which will operate to clamp said rail bases iirmlyto their seats 2 onthe base plate l and also to force said rail bases and they outer-edge of ythe wedge 9 into the groove 5, whereby the wedging surfaces 11 and l2 on"said` wedge 9 and on the upper plates endwise preferably 8, formed side 5 of saidgroove 5 will coperate with they wedging surfaces llfand 12 to clamp theV rail bases rigidly to their seats 2 on the base plates 1.

`The lishplates 7 and 8 and the wedges 9 and 10 having andthe wedge 10 having been driven home to lock the base plate 1 and the rail bases a together, which will also force the upper edges of theiish plates 7 ment with the bearing surfaces. or shouldersv formed on the under sides of the balls azkof the rails, said fish plates are secured to the rails by yusual bolts 15 inserted through said fishplates 7 and 8 and the webs a of the joined rails in the usual manner, thus further locking the structure together, the spring of thef'lish plates under the tension of said" bolts '15 further strengthening the clamping action ofthe wedges 9 and 10 and of the base plate 1 with the rail bases a. A

v Inl order to insure 4that the ybase plate 1 causes, 'meanslare preferably provided for locking the base plate 1 'andthe wedge 9 against relative endwise movement, ,simple means for this purpose consisting of interi loclring parts oii'said base plate and wedge. Asshown in Figs. 1-5', said interlocking parts consist 'of stop lugs 16- on the ends ofv the wedging surfaces driving said wedge,

been adjusted into position,v

and 8 into engage' i due `to the pounding of trains passing ,'over'the tracks or from other ing extensions of said wedge and being of such length that said wedge may be inserted into position by first moving the base plate 1 laterally to the limit of its movement represented by contact of the edge of said rail bases with the bottom of the groove 6 and sliding said wedge 9 endwise into the space between the sides of the groove 5 and the upper side of the rail base a which engages with said groove 5, as shown in Fig. 4.

If desired, however, the lugs for locking said base plate 1 and wedge 9 against relative endwise movement may be formed on the ends of the base plate in such position that'they will closely embrace the ends of the wedge 9 when said wedge is inserted into position. This construction is shown in Fig.

G, in which said locking lug is designated by the reference numeral 16. llVith the construction shown'in Fig. 6, the wedge 9 is designed to be inserted in position by first nioving the base plate 1 laterally to bring the opposite edge of the rail base in contact with the bottom of the groove 6, as shown in Fig. 4, and inserting the wedge 9 by what may be described as a rocking movement, thelateral edge of said wedge being inserted into the groove 5 above the rail base a, and said wedge and the iish plate 7 on which it is formed, being seated by turning the same about the outer edge of said wedge 9 which is confined at the bottom of the groove If desired, this manner of inserting said wedge 9 and fish plate 7 may also be elnployed where locking lugs 16 are used, as shown in Figs. 1-5, the described manner of seating said Wedge and iish platebeing illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings in connection with said lugs 16.

As shown in the drawings and as is stand ard construction on many railroads, the distance :cfrom the outer edges of the rail base to the inner edges of the shoulders or surfaces 17 at the under side of the ball n? of the rail ,against which the upper edges of the lish plates bear, vis longer than the distance v/ from the outer edges of said rail v bases to the outer edges of said shoulders or surfaces 17.

With this construction, it is obvious that the wedging action of the wedges 9 and 10 willthrust the upper edges f the fish plates 7 and S into strong Contact with said shouldersor surfaces 17, which will operate both to lock said crowd their upper edges inwardly toward the web of the rail. Thus, while bolts 15 will still be necessary to secure the rails A, A against relative endwise movement, they will be relieved almost sion incident to securing the fish plates 7 and S in place. In most cases also, it is probable that only two bolts will be used in connew tion with my rail joint instead. oli four or more now commonly used..y

fish plates in position and to altogether from tenthe action of the lateral, i wedging surfaces 13 and` lil` will force the To reduce the cost of manufacture, I con-j template dispensing with the top wedging surfaces 11 and l2 upper side 6. of the groove `6. "With this construction, in order to secure a suihciently close lit between said wedge `member `10 and the rail base e in the groove 6, it will also be necessary to dispense with `the transverse wedgmg surfaces ybetween said" wedging member 10 and theupper side bfof the he action of `the ing surfaces l1 and l2" out oflengagement, thus `producing a loose fit of said wedging` member 10 and groove,` 6, and of the joint. e fore, l form the jupperside of the groove 6` parallel with the rail-seat 2 on` the base plate,

wedge member 10 co`ntacts.`` Thus, while would destro the rigidity wedge member 10` and the rail bases a laterally within thegroove 6, "such lateral movement will not affect the `fitof said wedge i member 10 andrail `bases ain said groove or impair-the rigidity oftherail joint,`

This modification is s own in Figp? of the drawings, in whicha5 designates the` rail base, l theibase` plate, 4 "a lateral fiange thereon, 62 the groove fish plate and 10; the `wedge member formed at the lower edge of said `fish plate S. Formed on the lateral edge" of the wedge member 10" and at the bottom. of the groove 62 are lateral, longitudinal wedging surfaces 13 and lat adaptedtocrewdlthe opposite edge of the rail basesof the joinedfrails and the opposite wedge member into the groove formed in the {iange at the opposite margin of the base plate, said wedgemember and groove being provided with transverse wedging surfaces, form of my improved rail joint` shown in rigs. i to e.

The upper side 63of the` groove zfis parallel with 1 and formed on the wedge member 10" is a rib 18,` the upper edge of which rests in contact withl the `upper side 63 `of said groove 62` igvhen the railjoint isassem-bled for use, thus at all timesmaintaining the lit of the rail base a5 and the iwedge member l0 in the groove and the rigidity `ofthe joint.

1. A rail joint comprisingl a base plate provided on itslupper surface with a rail seat, marginal flanges thereon provided with grooves in their adjacent sidestwedgelmembers adapted` to `be inserted between the upper side of said grooves and theI "upper sides of the rail bases, said wedge members formed, respectively, on `the top side of the wedge member 10" and the rail base" a in the ln this modi mation, there` i i the joined rails, with whicha rigid' position ofthe e longitudinal i dinal vvedging` surface on its `lateral edge,

y and said base plate being provided atthe formed therein, 8 the all as in the preferred the rail seat on the base plate `coinprisiiniz," a rst wedge member having y transverse wedging surfaces andwhich terw minates short of the bottoni of the groove which it engages, and a second wedge membercomprising a longitudinal `wedging surface onits lateral edge, and said base plate being provided at the bottom of the groove which receives said second wedge member with a corresponding longitudinal wedging surface adapted to contact` and co-act with the longitudinal wedging surface on said second wedge member and to force the opposite` edge of therail base and the first wedge member laterally .into the groove en-` gaged thereby, substantially as described. ,n

2. A railjointcomprising a base plate` provided on its upper surface with a rail seat, marginal flanges thereon provided with grooves in their adjacent sides, `fish `plates adapted fto be secured to opposite sidesof wedge members on the loweredges of said fish plates adapted to be inserted between the upper sides of `said grooves `andthe upper sides of the rail bases, said `wedge members comprising a iirst wedge member havingtransverse wedging` surfaces andwhich terminates short of the bottom ofthe groove which it engages, and a second wedge member having a longitubottom of the "groovewhich receives said second wedge memberwith a corresponding `longitudinal wedging surface adapted to contactfand `co-act with the longitudinal wedging surface on said second wedge member and to force theopposite edge of the rail base and the first wedge member laterally into thegroove` engaged thereby, substantially :as described. f

"8. A rail jointcomprisinga base plate provided on its upper surface with a rail seat, marginal flan ges thereon provided with grooves in" thciradjacent sides, wedge mem` bers adapted to "be inserted between the 1.10`

upper sides of said grooves and the upper` sides ofthe rail bases, said wedge members comprising a first wedge member having transverse wedging surfaces and `which terminates short ofthe which it engages and a secondwedge member comprising "longitudinal wedging surfaces oiritsiipper side and lateral edge, and said'balse plate being provided at the bottom and upper sideof `the groove which receives said second wedge member `with corresponding longitudinal wedging surfaces` adapted to contact and co-act with the `longitudinal wedging surfaces on said second `wedge member `to` clamp the rail baseto its seat on the base plate and to force theopposite edge ofthe railbase and the first wedge member laterally into the grooveengaged thereby, substantially as described.

We; it, railjoint `cemprisingi a base plate: iso

bottom of `the` groove 1115` `provided on its upper surface with a rail seat, marginal flanges thereon provided kwith grooves .in their adjacent sides, wedge members adapted to be inserted between the upper sides of` said grooves and the upper sides of the rail bases, said wedge members having transverse wedging surfaces and comprising a firstwedge member which terminates short of the bottom of the groove which it engages and a second wedge mem ber having longitudinal wedging surfaces onits upper side and lateral edge, and said base plate being provided at the bottom and upper side of the groove which receives said second wedge member with wedging surfaces adapted to contact and co-act with the longitudinal wedging surfaces on said wedge member toclamp the rail base to its seat on the base plater and to force the opposite edge of the rail base and the first wedge member laterally into the groove engaged thereby, substantially as described.

5. A rail joint comprising a base plate provided on its upper surface with a rail seat, marginal ffanges thereon provided with grooves in their adjacent sides, fish plates adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the joined rails, wedge members on the lower edges of said fish plates adapted to be inserted between the upper sides of said grooves and the upper sides of the rail bases, said wedge members comprising a first wedge member having transverse wedging surfaces and which terminates short of the bottom ofthe groovewhich it engages, and a secondwedge member having a longitudinal wedging surface on itslateral edge, and said base plate being provided at the bottomv of the groove which receives said second wedge member with .a corresponding longitudinal wedging` surface adapted to Contact 'and co-'act with the longitudinal wedging surface on said second wedge member to clamp the rail base to its seat on the base plate and to force the opposite edge of the yrail base and the first wedge member laterally into the groove engaged thereby,sub stantially'- as described.

*6. A Arailjoint comprising a base plate provided onits upper surfacev with a rail seat, marginal fianges thereon-provided with grooves in their adjacent sides, fishplates v adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the joined rails, wedge members on the lower edges of said fish plates adapted to be inserted ybetween 'the upper sides of said grooves and the upper sides of the rail bases, said wedge members having tansverse wedging surfaces and comprising a first wedge member which terminates short of the bottom of thegroove which it engages, and

v a second wedge member having longitudinal wedg'ing surfacesvon its upper side and lateral edge, and said base plate being provided at the bottom and, upper side of the groove' which receives said second wedge member with corresponding longitudinal wcdgin surfaces adapted to contact and co-act witi the longitudinal wedging surfaces on said second wedge member to clamp the rail base to its seat on the base plate and to force the opposite edge of the rail base and the first wedge member laterally into the groove engaged thereby, substantially as described.

. 7. A rail joint comprising a base plate provided on its upper surface with a rail seat, marginal fianges thereon provided with grooves in their adjacent sides, wedge members adapted to be inserted between the upper sides of said grooves and the upper sides of said rail bases, said wedge members comprising a first wedge member having transverse wedging surfaces and which terminates short of thel bottom of the groove which it engages,means for engaging said first wedge member with said base plate to prevent relative endwise movement thereof, and a second wedge member having a longitudinal wedging surface on its lateral edgeand said base plate being provided at the bottom of the groove which receives said wedge member with a corresponding longitudinal wedging surface adapted to contact and co-act with the longitudinal wedging surfacev on fsaid second wedge member to clamp .the rail base to its seat on the base plate and to force the opposite edge of the rail base and the first wedge member laterally into the groove engaged thereby, substantially as described.

8. A rail joint comprising a base plate provided on its upper surface with a rail seat, marginal flanges thereon provided with grooves in their adjacent sides, wedge members adapted to be inserted between the upper sides of said grooves and the upper sidesl 0f the rail bases, means for securing said wedge members to the joined rails when in use, said wedge members comprising a first wedge member having transverse wedging surfaces and which terminates short of the bottom of the groove which it engages, means for interlocking said first wedge member with said base `plate to prevent relative endwise movement thereof, said means comprising stops on one of said interlocking members which embraceopposite ends of the other, and a second wedge member having a longitudinal wedging surface on its lateral edge, and said baseplate being provided at the bottom of the groove which receives said second wedge member with a corresponding wedging surface adapted to contact and coact with the longitudinal wedging surface on said second wedge member to clamp the rail base to its seat on the base plate and to force the opposite edge of the rail base and the first wedge member laterally into the groove engaged thereby, substantially as described.

l-lO

per sides of `:incassa 9. A rail joint comprising a base plate provided on its upper surface with a rail seat, marginal flanges thereon` provided with grooves in theiradjacentsides," wedge members adapted to be inserted between the upsaid grooves and the u per sides of the rail bases, said wedge inem ers comprising a first wedge member having transverse wedging surfaces and nates short of the bottom of the groove which it engages and a second wedge member having a longitudinal wedging surface on its lateral edge, and said base plate being provided at the bottom of the groove which receives said second wedge member with a corresponding longitudinal ivedging surface adapted to contact and co-act with the longitudinal wedging surface on said second wedge member to clamp the rail base to its seat on the base plate and to force the opposite edge of the rail base and the irst wedge member laterally into the groove engaged thereby, the dimensions of said base plate from the bottoms of the grooves therein to the corneis of the flanges on said base plate opposite to said grooves, respectively, formed at the intersections of the inner sides of said flanges and the upper sides of the grooves therein being greater than the width of the rail base, substantially as described.

10. A rail joint comprising a base plate provided on its upper surface with a rail seat, marginal flanges thereon provided with grooves in their adjacent sides, wedge meinbers adapted to be inserted between the upper sides of said grooves and the u per sides of the rail bases, said wedge inem ers comprising a rst wedge member having transverse wedging surfaces and which terminates short of the bottom of the groove which it engages and a second wedge member having a longitudinal wedging surface on its lateral edge, and said base plate being provided at the bottom of the groove which receives said second wedge member with a corresponding longitudinal wedging surface adapted to contact and co-act with the longitudinal wedging surface on said second wedge member to clamp the rail base to its seat on the base plate and to force the opposite edge of said rail base and the first wedge member laterally into the groove engaged thereby,

the distance between the adjacent sides of said flanges being less than the width of the rail base and the `dimensions of said base plate from the bottoms of the grooves therein to the corners of the flanges on said base plate opposite to said grooves, respectively, formed at the intersections of the inner sides of said flanges and the upper sides of the grooves therein being greater than the width of the rail base, substantially as described.

11. Rails the balls of which are provided on their under sides with bearing surfaces the distances from the lateral edges of the which termii `rail bases to the outer edges of said bearing surfaces being lessthan the distances from the lateral edges of said rail bases to points inside of thc outer `edges of said bearing surfaces, and a rail joint for connectingfsaid rails, said rail joint comprising a base plate `provided on `its upper surface with a rail seat, marginal flanges thereon provided with grooves in `their adjacent sides, lish plates adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the joined rails and provided on their upper edges with bearing surfaces fitted to the bearing surfaces on the under sides of the balls of the joined rails, wedge members on the lower edges" of said fish plates adapted to be inserted between the upper sides of said grooves and the upper sides of the rail bases, said wedge members comprising a first wedge member having transverse wedging surfaces and which terminates short of the bottom of the groove which it engages, and a second wedge member having a longitudinal wedg .ing surface on its lateral edge, and said base plate being provided at the bottom of the groove which receives said second wedge member with a corresponding longitudinal wedgiiig surface adapted to contact and coact with the longitudinal wedging surface on said second wedge member to clamp the rail base to its seat on the base plate and to force the opposite edge of the rail base and the first wedge member laterally intothe groove engaged thereby, substantially as described.

12. Rails the balls of which are provided on their under sides with bearing surfaces the distances from the lateral edges of the rail bases to the outer edges of said bearing surfaces being less than the distances from the lateral edges of said rail bases to points inside of the outer edges of said bearing surfaces, and a rail joint for connecting said rails, said rail joint comprising a base plate provided on its upper surface with a rail seat, marginal flanges thereon provided with grooves in their adjacent sides, fish plates adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the joined rails and provided on their upper edges with bearing surfaces fitted to the bearingsurfaces on the under sides of the balls of the joined rails, wedge members on the lower edges of said fish plates adapted to be inserted between the upper sides of said j and co-act with the longitudinal wedging surfaces on said wedge member to clamp'the rail base to its seat on the base plate and to force the opposite edge of the rail bese and the first Wedge member laterally into the groove engaged thereby, substantially as de- 5 scribed. Y

In testimony,- that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I afiiX my signature inthe Copies of this patent may-be obtained for five cents each, by

presence of two subscribing Witnesses this 19th1dey of October, A. D. 1916.

. EMIL A. RUTISIIAUSER. Wit-rumene: l .7' W l IEA-. IYON.-

G. W. SCOTT.

addressing the Commissioner ofl Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

